She thinks that it is a critical program that does a lot of great work, and that none of the programs are immune to problems.

We appreciate Senator Snowe's strong support for the program.

Senator Snowe as well is very interested and concerned with having the women's contracting program up and in place, and it is a high priority for her.

I don't see the need to treat the Opportunity Scholarship schools differently. It seems to me accreditation ensures a certain level.

I just wanted to make one point, and that is during the government's failed response to Hurricane Katrina, there was no deputy leader at FEMA.

Contentious litigation-style appeals are no substitute for the cooperation that FEMA should be fostering.

It is imperative that FEMA have strict controls to ensure that the money is being used to achieve the baseline emergency preparedness.

The charter school movement in the District appears to have been extraordinarily successful.

That is real progress for these students.

Senator Durbin has, understandably, brought up many times, and that is looking at testing.

That really is heartening to me, and that suggests that we're making a real difference.

The District of Columbia has failed its children for many years by denying them the chance for a good education, thereby relegating them to lives of limited choices and lost opportunities.

I think that was very unfortunate. I hope that you will be an advocate internally in the budget deliberations.

We need to support initiatives that improve education in our communities.

the position that you have been nominated to fill was created by the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act, which we authored.

We do need accountability, transparency, and oversight. That is the only way we're going to be able to determine what the impact of the Federal investment that we've made is producing.

Let's improve our public schools, let's support our charter schools, and let's give the opportunity for D.C. scholarships to private schools so that we can give a better education to more of the students in this city.

We must ensure that all students have access to quality education.